African leaders urge Security Council to back AUSSOM for up to two more years

Saturday August 1, 2026

Kampala (HOL) — Leaders of countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have called on the United Nations Security Council to extend support for the mission by up to two years, warning that a premature withdrawal could create a security vacuum and jeopardize Somalia’s fight against al-Shabab.

In a communiqué issued Friday at the close of an extraordinary summit in Kampala, Uganda, the leaders urged the Security Council to mandate continued U.N. logistical and operational support for AUSSOM for an additional 18 to 24 months.

The leaders said the extension would allow for an orderly, coordinated and phased transition, strengthen Somalia’s security institutions and ensure the gradual transfer of security responsibilities to Somali forces.

“The mission support capability mandated by the United Nations Security Council should continue providing uninterrupted support to AUSSOM for a period of 18 to 24 months to enable the implementation of agreed milestones, strengthen the capacity of Somali security institutions and facilitate the orderly transfer of security responsibilities,” the communiqué said.

The summit also emphasized the importance of preserving Somalia’s unity, rebuilding public confidence in state institutions and strengthening democratic governance.

The leaders called on Somali political stakeholders to prioritize national interests over political divisions and identity-based politics, saying unity remains essential to consolidating security gains and stabilizing the country.

The communiqué praised troop-contributing countries for their sacrifices in the fight against al-Shabab and paid tribute to soldiers who were killed or wounded during peace support operations in Somalia.

Leaders also appealed to international partners to provide additional financial assistance to address AUSSOM’s growing funding shortfall, warning that the mission’s effectiveness could be undermined without sustained support.

They called on both the Federal Government of Somalia and troop-contributing countries to intensify military operations to decisively defeat al-Shabab, while urging traditional and emerging international partners to continue backing AUSSOM and Somalia’s security transition.

The summit agreed to forward its recommendations to the African Union Peace and Security Council for endorsement before submission to the United Nations Security Council for consideration.

AUSSOM has been grappling with a severe financial crisis following reductions in international donor funding, including the United States’ decision to end logistical support through the United Nations support framework. The mission has also faced funding gaps caused by lower-than-expected troop reimbursement pledges and declining contributions from several traditional donors.

The Kampala summit brought together Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and senior representatives from troop-contributing countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Egypt, Djibouti and Ethiopia. Also attending were African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye, IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware, Acting Head of the United Nations Transition Mission in Somalia Raisedon Zenenga and Acting Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the U.N. Support Office in Somalia Qurat-Ul-Ain Sadozai.

The summit underscored growing concern among regional leaders that sustaining international support for AUSSOM will be critical to preventing security setbacks as Somalia continues its transition toward assuming full responsibility for national security.